Otters could break franchise's attendance mark

February 5, 2014 12:01 AM

February 5, 2014 12:01 AM

ATTENDANCE WATCHThe Otters need to average 5,125 fans per game over the final nine home games in the regular season to match the franchise record average of 4,428 in the 2004-05 season:2004-05 4,428 (150,562)2003-04 4,271 (145,4292002-03 4,269 (145,140)2013-14 4,177 (104,437)-2005-06 4,081 (138,748)- Through 25-of-34 games

The Erie Otters have a chance to set a franchise attendance record this season.

They need 46,125 fans -- 5,125 per game -- over the final nine home games to match the mark of 150,562 overall and 4,428 per game set in the 2004-05 season. The numbers stand at 104,437 and 4,177 per game entering Thursday's 7 p.m. game against Saginaw at Erie Insurance Arena. Crowds have topped 5,000 seven times and 6,000 twice.

"We know we can come close to the record, if not break it," said John Frey, the club's director of operations.

Group sales remain the front-office's primary goal.

"We really focus on group sales for each game as best we can," Frey said. "We keep pushing new ideas and events, even if it has minimal return."

Group sales have nearly doubled from the 2012-13 season, from about 6,000 to about 11,000 to date. In contrast, the club totaled about 1,500 two seasons ago.

"Group sales is something you can control without worrying about what is happening on the ice," Frey said, "and it's a great way to expose new people to our product."

- Still not satisfied: Right wing Andre Burakovsky had six goals and 11 points in his first five games back from a concussion. But he's still not happy with his play.

"After I was injured, I wasn't that good. I still had some points, but I wasn't really happy with my game," said Burakovsky, who had his career-high, 17-game point streak snapped in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Owen Sound. He fell one game short of the franchise record of 18 games shared by Tim Connolly (1997-98) and Rob Hisey (2004-05).

Yet he's feeling better in practice this week. "I'm just going to keep going," he said.

- Hockey for charity: The Otters have an opening act Saturday -- the fourth annual Guns and Hoses Charity Hockey game. The 3 p.m. game features local police officers and firefighters, with proceeds from ticket sales and a portion of sales from a 50-50 raffle benefiting Erie Homes for Children and Adults. The $10 tickets, which cover admission to both games, can be purchased in advance at the EHCA's office, 228 East 27th St., or Saturday from 2-3 p.m. at the arena box office. The doors will open at 2 p.m.

- Reaching his goals: Left wing Dane Fox was on pace to reach the 80-goal mark this season, which would have ranked among the highest totals in OHL history. He's still on pace to score 70, although he hasn't scored a goal in 10-of-17 games since setting the franchise record of 10 straight games with a goal. Most recently, he has two goals in his past eight games. But the last goal -- the Otters' lone score in Saturday's loss to the Midwest Division-rival Attack -- tied Cory Pecker's franchise's mark of 53 in 2001-02.

Fox can set the record Thursday against the Spirit or Saturday at home against London, his former team.

-- Victor Fernandes

ATTENDANCE WATCHThe Otters need to average 5,125 fans per game over the final nine home games in the regular season to match the franchise record average of 4,428 in the 2004-05 season:2004-05 4,428 (150,562)2003-04 4,271 (145,4292002-03 4,269 (145,140)2013-14 4,177 (104,437)-2005-06 4,081 (138,748)- Through 25-of-34 games